Divots size

[jckicker18]

For a long time I always noticed with my bad shots I had very large deep divots and I thought that as I got better it would fix itself. Lately my game has improved a good bit but I'm noticing that even on good shots where I make great ball contact and you can hear the ball "sizzling" as it flies off I am still seeing the same thing. I just wanted to get some input on what it really means to take such large divots and how to work on changing that if it's a problem. On a side note: yes I pour sand in them and even collect the pelt of grass from up ahead and replace it. If I didn't do so there would be lots of very unhappy campers at my home course.... It would be an epidemic ha

[ChrisWev]

When you say bad shot, what happens?

What club(s) are problematic?

Where does your divot start and finish? Before the ball at the ball or just after?

I'm no expert but:

Sounds to me like you're coming down too steep, bottoming out your swing arc too early (and probably hitting it fat) or you're using wedges with not enough bounce in soft turf.

If you're mostly striking the ball first and then the turf with your irons then you're probably not too far off, you might just be swaying back on to your right for your bad shot (for a right hander).

[jckicker18]

When you say bad shot, what happens? What club(s) are problematic? Where does your divot start and finish? Before the ball at the ball or just after? I'm no expert but: Sounds to me like you're coming down too steep, bottoming out your swing arc too early (and probably hitting it fat) or you're using wedges with not enough bounce in soft turf. If you're mostly striking the ball first and then the turf with your irons then you're probably not too far off, you might just be swaying back on to your right for your bad shot (for a right hander).

Thanks for the reply, the clubs that this most often happens is mainly 8-60 degree. Sometimes ever by 6 and 7.. The bad shots were mainly me hitting it fat but I don't really do that often anymore. I'm more or less trying to figure out why I take such big divots on good shots and I'm pretty sure you hit the nail on the head with the swing angle. I have been watching a good bit of golf today and noticing where the club head winds up at the end of the swing. My club head ends up hitting me in the butt sometimes. Not all the time but I believe that is a definite key to show that the arch angle of my swing path is a lot more steep than it should be. Any insight on ways to correct my swing arch angle?

[Hatchman]

For me, just went through a few changes with fitting. Club length and lie angle checks from a little shorter back leg now. First, I recently fit for 5//16 heal lift then clubs. Putter also. Liking it. Bottoms of clubs look much better now when burning in on board or range mat.

[jckicker18]

For me, just went through a few changes with fitting. Club length and lie angle checks from a little shorter back leg now. First, I recently fit for 5//16 heal lift then clubs. Putter also. Liking it. Bottoms of clubs look much better now when burning in on board or range mat.

This is probably why it seems to have gotten better recently. I'm 6'4" and have used standard clubs my whole life and just very recently started using a set that actually fits. I think between having the right clubs and changing my swing angle it should be a very fixable problem.

[ChrisWev]

Is your club actually digging into the deck? Is the ground very soft? What happens on the firmer surfaces or at the range?

There should be enough bounce on your 7/8/9 and PW as these are normally stock as far as I'm aware. A low bounce Gap/ Lob wedge or something would be a different matter mind.

You almost have to be coming in steep, or basically you might just be leaning over too much or the clubs are too long? Try gripping down half an inch or so and see how this effects things? The ball may also be slightly too far back in your stance or weight too far forward.

If you're hitting good shots with big divots this might not be a massive problem (one of the better guys may know). Loads of tour players take big divots in soft ground, just look at the state of the fairways on the afternoon in the masters in the lay up areas, big divots all over the place.

I pro with a launch monitor would tel you what you're doing instantly, or even a face on swing vid in the "My swing" forum would help?

[jckicker18]

Is your club actually digging into the deck? Is the ground very soft? What happens on the firmer surfaces or at the range? There should be enough bounce on your 7/8/9 and PW as these are normally stock as far as I'm aware. A low bounce Gap/ Lob wedge or something would be a different matter mind. You almost have to be coming in steep, or basically you might just be leaning over too much or the clubs are too long? Try gripping down half an inch or so and see how this effects things? The ball may also be slightly too far back in your stance or weight too far forward. If you're hitting good shots with big divots this might not be a massive problem (one of the better guys may know). Loads of tour players take big divots in soft ground, just look at the state of the fairways on the afternoon in the masters in the lay up areas, big divots all over the place. I pro with a launch monitor would tel you what you're doing instantly, or even a face on swing vid in the "My swing" forum would help?

Yes the club would dig deep in any conditions and made it very tough to play during soggy conditions. Tho as I stated earlier that it isn't quite as bad as it had previously been. Also from using standard clubs for so long I always had to bend over a good bit. With the new ones that fit my posture is a lot better but I could possibly be still bending over too much. Definitely when I get back on land I will be working on posture and swing angle. That will be over a week from now so I'm sure I'll drive myself crazy between now and then. Back in the day it was so bad that on wet/soggy ground I would sometimes dig in so far that it stopped my swing... Thankfully it's been a good while since I have had a moment like that... It's pretty painful

[jckicker18]

A pro with a launch monitor would tel you what you're doing instantly, or even a face on swing vid in the "My swing" forum would help?

Definitely going to take advantage of this when I get home as well. Thanks

[mvmac]

I just wanted to get some input on what it really means to take such large divots and how to work on changing that if it's a problem.

The simple answer is you're too steep. Whether that's from the head moving forward, the shaft being too steep on the downswing or something else.

Feel free to start a swing thread and get some help.

http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings

Also please make sure to multi-quote, thanks and welcome to the site.

[jckicker18]

The simple answer is you're too steep. Whether that's from the head moving forward, the shaft being too steep on the downswing or something else. Feel free to start a swing thread and get some help. [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings]http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings[/URL] Also please make sure to multi-quote, thanks and welcome to the site.  [CONTENTEMBED=/t/69379/new-to-the-sand-trap-little-things-members-expect-and-ask-of-fellow-members layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED]

What do you mean multi quote? And I will definitely be starting a myswing thread as soon as I can get home. "A little over a week from now"

[mvmac]

What do you mean multi quote? And I will definitely be starting a myswing thread as soon as I can get home. "A little over a week from now"

When you're responding to multiple posts with one post rather than responding to them with multiple posts minutes apart. More in that thread I linked to.

[jckicker18]

When you're responding to [COLOR=181818]multiple posts with one [/COLOR] [COLOR=181818]post[/COLOR] rather than responding to them with multiple posts minutes apart. More in that thread I linked to.

Ok, absolutely will do. Thanks